Opportunity with start-up in Hawaii - NZ company

[Krazy]

A small update in the mean time: I believe the NZ'ers are having their interviews this week and the non-kiwis next week... Would love to hear from those who have had their interviews already...

[Nikai]

Approach with caution

Caution, an open mind and a good lawyer (just in case) are probably all thats needed...

Surely there's no harm in finding out more about this type of thing initially, and trying to figure it out once more facts are available.

Afterall, for years pilots in NZ GA have been bonded for a similar amount (over 2 years) just for jobs on BN2's, so why not for a faster, light twin in a foreign country...

It is a bit strange that it appeared on Seek though rather than a standard pilot recruiting site... definitely agree it is strange to want to operate ZK- rather than N-, and if not ZK-, the need for NZ pilots...?

[hoggsnortrupert]

Cold Water:

C'mon get real people:

Pilots on food stamps in the good ol USA, and you really think the INS/Labor dept will issue work permits/green cards/ social security numbers:

Pink Pigs will fly before any NONE US citizens will.

If the company is registered, it can still be a scam, it is easy to register a shelf company just about any where in the world, my advice do not hand over any money.

H/snort.

[jimmyjones]

Apparently Hawaii is not until about 8 months time, in the mean while doing courier work in nz, flying and driving. He has the pa 31 but not sure of reg. Be careful I think.

[The Green Goblin]

Watch all the Kiwis with their left over student loan money (the same money that used to fund themselves over here working for free or being able to be the last man standing for a job the locals couldn't afford to do) burning in their hands ready to hand over to get some twun time

Some PA31 time is just what you need to get into Air Nulsin, Vuncints or EEEgil.

Don't forget to turn the lights off boys on the way out

[remoak]

Had a look at the letter he sends out, and I can't decide whether it's legit and the guy is just trying to cover himself (because we all know that young pilots have absolutely no scruples when it comes to taking an airline job abd leaving their old employer in the lurch), or whether he is trying to finance the operation via his employees.

Simple solution is to offer the money for the bond, but only if it goes into an escrow or trust account that requires more checks and balances than simply handing the money over.

If it is genuine, it could be a good gig. Certainly, stranger ideas have come to pass...

[ZK-NSN]

for years pilots in NZ GA have been bonded for a similar amount (over 2 years) just for jobs on BN2's

Try half of that, the fine "airline" your refering to "only" charge $10k for "training your replacement" if you leave within 2 years. Even a dash 8 bond is only $18k in nz for 18 months.

If you want to better your position in aviation and have $20k to part with then there are much better ways of doing it, or you could just give it too me. I cant really get you a job, but I will send you a christmas card every year.

[framer]

Even if I live to 100?....what about 10k just through til 2040? I want Christmas cards

[meggo]

There have been many responses, some insightful and sceptical and some just sceptical, but all have been very worthy of careful consideration. Thank you for taking the time to contribute.
As one who has done all that is possible (company checks, aircraft checks & everything suggested by previous respondents) to verify the integrity of this employer I still have the following question:
Has anyone had an interview or are you scheduled for one?
If you have first hand knowledge your response may help to clear up the integrity of this advertisement.
I am not questioning the integrity of the employer, because I don't know anything more than you all do, but would like some confirmation from anyone "in the know". It is all helpful info for the "wannabees" who sometimes need the helping hand of the "old hands'. Thanks for your anticipated responses.

[Aerozepplin]

so far everything checks out

Did you ask about how they're getting through the work visa problem?

That's the question that interests me the most. As I've stated before when my father (PhD, expert in his field) wanted to work in the USA his employer had to sponsor him, and show that there were no American citizens who could fill the role satisfactorily. Quite a significant cost if I remember too. After six years we had to leave, as beyond that you require a green card, which is given out (bought really) on a weighted lottery system.

[j3pipercub]

Roles other than flying, assuming to which you replied 'of course'?

DANGER WILL ROBINSON!!!!!!!!!!

Jezza, I would be very very careful if I were you. In another country, ending up working as a booking agent in reservations 4 days a week, but of course the 'core' job is the flying 2 days a week in the RHS of a 30 year old never-go. And you've shelled out 25k. And then you want to leave only to find that 'third party' solicitor aint so third party anymore. It sounds awesome and exciting, but make sure you have ALL the facts. If they are hazy on some points definitely get clarifaction before diving in head first.

GG, love the jokes, they never get old.

j3

[NoseGear]

Jezza, J3 brings up a valid point....I too would clarify as much as you can just what the other roles entail. When I was in GA, it was basically a 2 pilot operation, and we ran the whole show, phone, bookings, check in, loadsheets, baggage handling and the flying, however, it was a small operation and quite manageable. This company sounds a bit bigger than that, so a 4 day stint in reservations could very well be an option from your bosses point of view.

I think AeroZep is probably onto the biggest hurdle.....and I dont see how he'll manage that, or operating ZK rego aircraft in a commercial op in the USA.

[Mr_T]

If the aircraft are ZK registered wouldn't then NZ CAA have to issue a Air Operators certificate and the US FAA issue a exemption to operate? - Check all this paper work before you sign on.
20K to fly a desk... better to feed that money to a 737 or A320 endorsement in my opinion.. Interested to see how this pans out. Does the company have a website?

[Aerozepplin]

Danger Will Robinson indeed!

So...
Immigration Issues
Work "other than flying"
Lack of PA-31 registration movement
Lack of PA-31s with ZK reg in the USA
Lack of PA-31s that aren't busy with other operators
Lack of claimed airline experience
Lack of logic in requirements
Large amounts of money changing hands.

If this company is humming 18 months from now with happy young pilots flying ZK registered Navajos around the Islands of Hawaii I shall eat all my hats.

[j3pipercub]

You're awesome Jezza, so you've got 850hrs, you're going to shell out 25k to sit in the rhs of a navajo, and we're the ill informed ones... You're a legend.

j3

[ZK-NSN]

Dont be a sook jezza. Grab your blankie, have a glass of hot milk and go have a lie down.

The interview was quite short and he was mostly interested in whether I'd be willing to perform roles other than flying

So he wasnt actually that interested in your experience or knowledge? Sounds like to me all you really need to get the job is a willingness to other tasks and stump up with the cash. (but a licence would be an advantage)

Or what evidence he's got to say "Lack of claimed airline experience

The NZ aviation aviation industry is pretty small and nobody seems to have heard of him. Evidence?

Frankly you are too young and too ill-informed to be posting such snide comments

I find this quite ironic. One could argue that you saying zepplin knows nothing because of his age is ill-informed. You dont need to be old to know the long trail of cluster f*cks and bullsh!t artists that have operated within the NZ aviation industry (or to do your homework on the net)

People willing to shell out huge amounts of cash to secure a job are screwing the industry. Dragging down pay and conditions for everyone in the game. What happened to the old (2 years ago) way of going door knocking and finding a job in GA and doing their time and moving up. (similar to what the goblin said without the kiwi bashing)

[Aerozepplin]

Quite

Don't get me wrong, I really really want this to be a genuine sucessful operation. Good on the people who've given it a go, and good luck to you. I'm sure no one has gone in eyes closed, because... well... you're not idiots.

However, there is not one tiny piece of evidence to suggest it will be a successful operation, or that its more than a sizable nothing. I don't know what the ultimate goal of this is though. It doesn't make any sense. I can back up my above claims (which were probably a bit harsh), but I won't. Unless this is a super sneaky way to get a few brave souls on board, the ones who take a punt so to speak, well... unless it's that I simply can't fathom it.

[The Green Goblin]

I rest my case boys

[j3pipercub]

Jezza,

My initial comment was one of concern, as I didn't want to see a less than experienced guy get taken for a ride, especially after the comments made in the interview.

Now I see I was wrong, you can obviously take very good care of yourself, so by all means go to Hawaii. Best of luck in your reservations career...

j3

[ZK-NSN]

Now just give me a second to cower behind a rock somewhere before you all tell me what a loser I am

Cower behind, crawl back under. Whatever suits dude.

The bond is being paid to a third party solicitor which makes me feel a lot better

In which country? But I guess theres no need to worry about that, lawyers are all good honest professionals.......? The thing that gives me the sh!ts is that every other bond I have heard of within aviation doesnt require you to hand over any money, only to pay it out if you decide to break it. But like I said, you can trust lawyers.

Good luck I guess. Be careful though, $20k can dig you a pretty deep hole.